County news: Police officers commended for saving Sussex woman

The four police officers who saved a Sussex woman’s life in London will receive the highest life-saving honour.

The East Sussex woman suffered serious head injuries in a crash near the Houses of Parliament.

PCs Alan Moore, Derek Nyenhuis, Robert Smith and Laurie Weston have all been awarded Royal Humane Society Certificates of Commendation for the efforts to save Dr Fox’s life.

Society secretary Dick Wilkinson said: “The victim had suffered life-threatening injuries and it is no small way thanks to these four officers that she survived.

“They did a superb job and richly deserve the awards they are to receive.”

First on the scene was PC Nyenhuis who heard a crash and found Dr Fox lying in a pool of blood and having difficulty breathing.

He was then joined by the other officers who between them administered first aid until a paramedic arrived and Dr Fox was taken to hospital where she has since recovered.

No date has yet been announced for presentation of the awards, which have been made following a recommendation from the Metropolitan Police but it is expected to take place in the near future.

The roots of the Royal Humane Society stretch back more than two centuries. Its president is Princess Alexandra and it is the premier national body for honouring bravery in the saving of human life.

It was founded in 1774 by two of the day’s eminent medical men, William Hawes and Thomas Cogan.

Their primary motive was to promote techniques of resuscitation.

However, as it emerged that numerous people were prepared to put their own lives at risk to save others, the awards scheme evolved, and today a variety of awards are made depending on the bravery involved.

The Society also awards non health care professionals who perform a successful resuscitation.

Since it was set up the Society has considered over 86,000 cases and made over 200,000 awards.

The Society is a registered charity which receives no public funding and is dependent on voluntary donations.

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